Maple Leafs vs Kings Plugs Prediction - NHL Picks 1/2/24

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- Los Angeles Kings (20-8-5) vs Toronto Maple Leafs (17-10-7)

- Game Info: Tuesday, January 2, 2024 at 10:30 pm (Crypto.com Arena)

📊 Betting Odds: Los Angeles Kings -134 / Toronto Maple Leafs +112 --- Over/Under: 6.5

The SV Game Preview

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• The Toronto Maple Leafs will play the Los Angeles Kings at Crypto Arena in Los Angeles, California. Toronto has lost five of their last six games, while Los Angeles is on a two game losing streak. Let’s take a look at the betting angles and the find a winning prediction.

• Matchup/League Facts

• The Los Angeles Kings are one of three teams to rank in the top 10 for both goals scored and goals conceded per game this season.

• The Los Angeles Kings rank 7th in the league for goals per game this season (3.48).

• The Toronto Maple Leafs are one of only four teams to win a game when trailing by 2 or more goals after Period 1 this season.

• The Toronto Maple Leafs rank 4th in the league for Period 2 goals scored per game this season (1.24).

The Maple Leafs Preview

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• The Toronto Maple Leafs are 17-10-7 this season after they lost to Carolina by a score of 3-2 in their last game. Toronto trailed 3-1 late in the third period, but they were able to get a second goal with about 10 seconds left in the game. The Maple Leafs were out shot by a total of 28-27 and went 0-3 on the power play in the game. Toronto’s only win in their last six games came against Columbus, with losses against Carolina, Columbus, Ottawa, Buffalo, and the Rangers. The Maple Leafs are scoring 3.53 goals per game and they are allowing 3.44 goals against per game, while going 25.7% on the power play and 77.7% on the penalty kill. William Nylander has led Toronto with 17 goals, 31 assists, and 144 shots on goal. The projected starting goalie for Toronto is Martin Jones, who is 4-3-0 this year with a 2.73 goals against average and a .915 save percentage. 

• Toronto Maple Leafs Team Facts

• The Maple Leafs have won five of their last six games as underdogs following a loss.

• The Maple Leafs have covered the puck line in each of their last 10 games as underdogs.

• The favorites have won the first period in each of the Maple Leafs' last four games.

• The 'Over 2.5 Goals Period 1' market has hit in five of the Maple Leafs' last six games following a home loss.

• Toronto Maple Leafs Player Prop Facts

• John Tavares has scored a goal in four of the Maple Leafs' last five games against the Kings.

• William Nylander has recorded at least one point in 13 of the Maple Leafs' last 14 games.

• William Nylander has recorded an assist in seven of his last eight appearances against the Kings after playing less than 20 minutes in the Maple Leafs' last game.

The Kings Preview

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• The Los Angeles Kings are 20-8-5 this year after they lost to Edmonton by a score of 3-2 in overtime in their last game. Los Angeles led 2-0 after the first period, but they couldn’t find the back of the net for the rest of the game in the loss. The Kings out shot Edmonton by a total of 28-26 and went 1-4 on the power play in the game. Los Angeles lost to Vegas by a score of 3-2 in the game prior to Edmonton, but did defeat San Jose and Calgary before that. The Kings are scoring 3.48 goals per game and they are allowing 2.33 goals against per game, while going 19.3% on the power play and 86.5% on the penalty kill. Anze Kopitar is averaging 14 goals, 20 assists, and 67 shots on goal. The projected starting goalie for LA is David Rittich, who is 2-0-0 this season with a 1.00 goal against average and a .951 save percentage.

• Los Angeles Kings Team Facts

• The Kings have won each of their last eight night games following a shootout loss.

• The Kings have covered the puck line in each of their last 10 night games following a shootout loss.

• The Kings have won the second period in each of their last six night games after coming off a shootout.

• The 'Over 1.5 Goals Period 2' market has hit in eight of the Kings' last nine games at Crypto Arena following a shootout loss.

• Los Angeles Kings Player Prop Facts

• Kevin Fiala has recorded at least one assist in each of the Kings' last six Tuesday games.

• Viktor Arvidsson has scored a goal in each of his last three home appearances against the Maple Leafs.

• Viktor Arvidsson has recorded at least one point in eight of his last nine appearances at Crypto Arena.

The Plugs Game Prediction

💎 KINGS ML -125

• Both of these teams come into this matchup after struggling in recent games, and I know the Kings will be at home here and that could cause some concern because they are one of the best road teams in the NHL and they are only 7-6-4 at home this season, but Toronto has lost five of their last six games and they are really struggling right now! I know the Leafs are 8-3-5 on the road but no way can we put trust in this Maple Leafs team right now, so give me the Kings at home with a line that clearly is very telling that the Kings could win thai game tonight!